[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 21, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H4014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Green) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, and still I rise, with love of 
country in my heart and a belief that the Constitution ought to be 
honored.
  Today I rise, some 34 days since the Mueller report has been made 
public, 34 days since we have concluded that impeachable offenses have 
been committed--34 days, and yet the President still commits actions 
that are deemed obstructive; 34 days, which means that, for 34 days 
now, the President is clearly above the law as it relates to the 
Mueller report--longer than that, but as it relates to the Mueller 
report and its being released, 34 days.
  But there is good news. A good many Members are now considering 
joining the impeachment effort, and I salute them. I am more than 
honored to say that you can never be too late when it comes to being on 
the right side of history and the right side of justice. So I salute 
them, and I believe that others will come on board as well.
  I believe they are doing this because they believe that no one is 
above the law. I think they are doing this because they believe that 
you have to put principle above politics. They are doing this because I 
think they love their country, and they refuse to allow this condition 
to continue without the constitutional remedy of impeachment being 
given its proper place in history as it relates to this President.
  And as they do this, I just want to remind us that there is something 
that is indelible in my mind. I will never forget this image: a baby.
  This is a baby crying. I won't forget this image. For this alone, we 
should consider impeachment. Separating babies from their parents 
without a means of reuniting them, for this alone, we should consider 
impeachment.
  But there is much more to add: the whole notion that there are s-hole 
countries in Africa; that there are very fine people among those who 
were in Charlottesville where a person lost her life; the whole notion 
that the Chief Executive Officer of the United States of America, the 
President, will stand before law enforcement personnel and say: You 
don't have to be nice when you are bringing people into your care, 
custody, and control.
  And last night, to go to a rally--this is the President of the United 
States at a rally with people behind him saying, ``lock her up,'' or 
some equivalent.
  This is not some outlaw, renegade country. This is the United States 
of America. Do we want the President of this country to go before the 
public and have throngs of people shouting, ``Lock her up?''
  This is a great country. I love my country, and, for this reason, I 
want to assure my friends that I am going to thank all who are coming 
on board.
  And the question is not, now: Who is going to be the first to come on 
board? The question really is this: Who will be the last to come on 
board? Who will be the last person to say: ``I believe that no person 
is above the law''? Who will be the last to say: ``I am going to do 
what I believe the Constitution requires when we have a person who has 
demonstrated that he is a lawless, ruthless, reckless person who 
happens to have control of the executive branch of government''?
  It is my belief that sometimes you stand alone and it is better to 
stand alone than not stand at all. But I also understand that 
sometimes, when you stand alone, it is just a matter of time before 
others will stand with you.
  I compliment all who are standing with us today, who have been here 
from the genesis of this.
  Madam Speaker, I want to say one final thing.
  This is not about whether you are a Republican or a Democrat. I 
compliment the Republican who had the courage to step forward, the 
courage, the intestinal fortitude to take the stand for righteousness: 
Believe me, he won't be the last. There will be others. It is just a 
matter of time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

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